Humayun Ahmed; Proud of Netrakona

Humayun Ahmed At a Glance

Name

Humayun Ahmed

Born

November 1948, Mohongonj, Netrakona, Bangladesh.

Died

19 July 2012 (aged 63), New York City, United States.

Occupation

Writer, Film Director, Professor of Chemistry.

Nationality

Bangladeshi.

Education

Ph. D. in polymer chemistry.

Awards

Lekhak Shibir Prize (1973), Bangla Academy Award (1981), Shishu Academy Award, Jainul Abedin Gold Medal, Michael Madhusudan Medal (1987), Bacsas Prize (1988), Humayun Qadir Memorial Prize (1990), National Film Award (Best Story 1993, Best Film 1994, Best Dialogue 1994), Ekushe Podok (1994), ShelTech Award (2007).

Spouse(s)

Gultekin Ahmed (1973–2003; divorced)

Meher Afroz Shaon (2005–death).

Children

Nova, Sheela, Bipasha, Nuhash, Nishad, Ninit.

Brother / Sister

Muhammad Zafar Iqbal (brother).

Ahsan Habib (brother).

Brief Life Story of Humayun Ahmed:

Humayun Ahmed was born 13 November 1948 –died 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi author, dramatist, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker. Humayun Ahmed emerged in the Bengali literary world in the early 1970s and over the subsequent decade became the most popular fiction writer of the country. According to Times of India, largest circulation among all English-language newspapers in the world, "Humayun was a custodian of the Bangladeshi literary culture whose contribution single-handedly shifted the capital of Bengali literature from Kolkata to Dhaka without any war or revolution". His breakthrough occurred with the publication of his first novel, Nondito Noroké in 1972. He was a former professor of Chemistry at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

As a writer, Ahmed often displayed a fascination for creating stories around supernatural events; his style was characterized as magic realism. He is regarded as the the most popular writer in the Bengali language for a century and according to many, he was even more popular than Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.

As of February 2004, Ahmed continued to top the best sellers list of Bangla Academy (Bangladesh) book fair, a feat that had been maintained over the previous two decades.

In 2012 he was appointed as a special adviser to the Bangladesh Mission in the United Nations.

Early life

Humayun Ahmed was born in Mohongonj, Netrokona, but his village home is Kutubpur, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. His father, Faizur Rahman Ahmed, a police officer and writer, was killed by Pakistani military during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, and his mother is Ayesha Foyez. Humayun's younger brother, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, a university professor, is also a writer of mostly science fiction genre and a newspaper columnist. Another brother, Ahsan Habib, is a painter and the editor of Unmad, a cartoon magazine.

Education and early career

Humayun Ahmed went to many schools in Sylhet, Comilla, Chittagong, Dinajpur and Bogra as his father lived in many places upon official assignment. He passed the School Certificate Examination as a student of Bogra Zilla School in 1965. He stood second in the merit list in the Rajshahi Education Board. Later he was admitted to the Dhaka College and passed the Intermediate Examination in 1967. He initially planned to study economics but suddenly changed his mind and got admitted into the Dhaka University to study Chemistry. He passed both BSc (Honours) and MSc with First Class. Subsequently he joined the Dhaka University as a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. Later he went abroad to the North Dakota State University in the United States to study for Ph.D. After having studied physical chemistry for two years he was impressed by the lecture of a professor of polymer chemistry; and eventually secured a Ph.D degree in polymer chemistry. He returned to Bangladesh and resumed teaching at the Dhaka University. He retired as a teacher around mid 1990s to devote all his time to writing and production of film.

Marriage

Ahmed was married to Gultekin, granddaughter of Principal Ibrahim Khan, in 1973. Humayun has three daughters and one son with Gultekin. He may be regarded as one of the world’s most successful writers, but despite his innumerable professional successes, he found it difficult to maintain a harmonious relationship with his first wife.Later he started an affair with a TV serial actress, Meher Afroz Shaon which lead to divorce of his marraige in 2003. He later married Meher Afroz Shaon in 2005. He has two sons from this marriage.

Death

Humayun Ahmed died on 19 July 2012 at 11.20 PM BST at Bellevue Hospital in New York City in the United States after an eleven-month struggle against colorectal cancer. Humayun’s death has proven that the tragic and completely unexpected passing of an icon familiar to millions can create an emotionally unifying experience for a nation.

Rashidul Bari, the author of Grameen Social Business Model, wrote in Daily New Age after Humayun's death:

"So pragmatic was Humayun’s approach to love, that when he realized that his 32-year marriage to Gultekin was floundering, he filed for divorce in 2005, and married Meher Afroz Shaon shortly afterwards. Many people have tried to understand Humayun’s behavior through the poems of Nazrul: “I am disorderly and lawless, I trample under my feet all rules and discipline! I dance at my own pleasure; I am the unfettered joy of life.”

Notable Films

·         Shonkhonil Karagar

·         Aguner proshmoni

·         Srabon megher din

·         Dui Duari

·         Chondrokotha

·         Noi no. Bipod shonket

·         Amar Ache Jol

·         Nirontor

·         Priotomeshu

·         Daruchini Dip

·         Shamol Chaya

·         Ghetuputra Kamola

Notable Television Dramas

• Akdin Hothat
• Abong Einstein
• Aj Jorir Biye
• Aj Robibar / Serial
• Akti Oloukik Vromon Kahini
• Ai Boishakhe
• Ai Borshai
• Ai Shob Din Ratri / Serial
• Amra Tin Jon / Sequel
• Ayomoy / Serial
• Antorar Baba
• Angti
• Badol Diner Prothom Kodom Ful
• Badla Diner Gaan
• Bank Draft
• Bhoot Bilash
• Bon Kumari
• Bon Batashi
• Brihonnola
• Bohubrihi / Serial
• Bonoo
• Bua Bilash
• Chader Aloy Koyekjon Jubok
• Cherager Doitto
• Chipa Voot
• Chele Dekha
• Chor
• Choitro Diner Gaan
• Chondro Grohon
• Chondro Karigor
• Chondro Grosto
• Durotto
• Dui Du Konay Char
• Eka
• Eki Kando
• Enayet Alir Sagol
• Goni Shaheber Shesh Kichudin
• Gondho
• Griho Shukh Private Limited
• Gunin
• Habiber Shongshar
• Hablonger Bazar
• Hamid Miar Ijjot
• Himu / Sequel
• Iblish
• Jahir Karigor
• Jibon Japon
• Josnar Fool
• Joota Baba
• Jootar Baksho
• Joituri
• Jomunar Jol Dekhte Kalo
• Jol Torongo
• Jolay Bhasha Podmo
• Kala Koitor / Serial
• Kakaru
• Khoab Nogor
• Kothao Keo Naei / Serial
• Konay Dekha
• Kuhok
• Majhe Majhe Tobo Dekha Pai
• Megh Boleche Jabo Jabo / Serial
• Missed Call
• Mofiz Miar Choritro
• Montri Mohodoyer Agomon
• Natto Mongoler Kotha
• Nattokar Hamid Shaheber Akdin
• Nim Ful
• Nogoray Doitto
• Nitu Tomake Valobashi / 2 Episodes
• Nuruddin Shorno Podok
• Ochin Ragini / 3 Episodes
• Onushondhan
• Openti Bioscope
• Oporanho
• Otoppor Shuvo Bibaho
• Paap
• Pathor
• Project Himalaya
• Podmo
• Pushpo Kotha & Rubix Cube
• Rumali / Serial

• Rupkotha
• Rupar Ghonta
• Rupali Nokhkhotro / 3 Episodes
• Rupali Ratri / 3 Episodes
• Shonar Kolosh
• Shobai Geche Bonay
• Showkot Shaheber Gari Kena
• Shopno Abong Shopno Bhongo
• Shomudro Bilash Private Limited
• Suri
• Tara Tin Jon / Sequel
• Tin Prohor
• Tritio Noyon
• Turuper Tash
• Vejabo Chokh Shomudrer Jolay
• Wang Pi
• Zinda Kobor
• 24 Carat Man

Notable Books

• 1971
• Antorar Baba
• Anando Bedonar Kabya
• Amader Shada Bari
• Amra Keo Bashay Nei
• Aaj Ami Kothao Jabona
• Ami Abong Amra
• Aaj Chitrar Bia
• Asmanira Tin Bone
• Angul Kata Joglu
• Anonto Nakhatrobithi
• Ashok
• Amar Priyo Bhoutik Golpo
• Amar Apon Adhar
• Ayomoy
• Adbhoot Shob Golpo
• Ai Megh Rodro Chhaya
• Akash Jora Megh
• AshaBori
• Ayna Ghor
• Akjon Himu Koyekti Jhijhi Poka
• Ami Misir Ali
• Ami Abong Koyekti Projapoti
• Aaj Himur Bie
• Anil Bagchir Ekdin
• Amar Achhe Jol
• Abong Himu
• Black Friday
• Brikkha Kotha
• Badsha Namdar
• Bipod
• Bagh Bondi Misir Ali
• Bashor
• Bhoy
• Bohubrihi
• Botol Bhoot
• Brishti Bilas
• Badol Diner Ditiyo Kodomful
• Brihonnola
• Ball Point
• Brishti O Meghomala
• Chokkhe Amar Trishna
• Chaya Bithi
• Chader Aloi Koyekjon Jubok
• Cheleta
• Chole Jai Boshonter Din
• Diner Sheshe
• Dwitiyo Manob (2002)
• Dui Duari
• Debi
• Dorjar Opashe
• Dekha Na Dekha
• Dighir Jole Kaar Chhayago
• Daru Chini Dip
• Ema
• Eki Kando
• Ele Bele
• Ei Shubhro! Ei
• Ekjon Mayaboti
• Ekti Cycle Ebong Koyekti Dahuk Pakhi
• Fiha Shomikaron
• Fera
• Gouripur Junction
• Himu Ebong Harward PHD Boltu Bhai
• Himu Mama
• Himu Rimande
• Himu Abong Ekti Russian Pori
• Himur Ekanto Sakkhatkar
• Himur Babar Kothamala
• Himur Madhya Dupur
• Himur Neel Jochna
• Himur Hate Koyekta Neel Paddo
• Holud Himu Kalo Rab
• Himu
• Himur Ditio Prohor
• Hotel Grever Inn
• Harton Iskapo
• Ireena
• Jokhon Nambe Adhar
• Jodio Shondha
• Jonosha O Jononir Golpo
• Jashoha Brikhher Deshe
• Jalil Shaheber Pitition
• Jibon Krishno Memorial High School
• Jol Jochhna
• Jol Paddo
• Kalo Jadukor
• Kuhurani
• Kath Pencil
• Ke Kotha Koy
• Kichhu Shoishob
• Kuhuk
• Kichhukkhon
• Krishno Pakko
• Kohen Kobi Kalidash
• Kutu Mia
• Kobi
• Kothao Keo Nai
• Lipi
• Lilaboti
• Lilua Batash
• Megher Upor Bari
• Misir Alir Choshma
• Misir Alir Omimangshito Rohoshsho
• Misir Ali Apni Kothay
• Manobi
• Mojar Bhoot
• Magic Munshi
• Megh Boleche Jobo Jabo
• Moddhano
• Mondrosoptok
• Megher Chhaya
• Moyurakkhi
• Mrinmoyer Mon Bhalo Nai
• Mrinmoyi
• Matal Howya
• New york Er Nil Akashe Jhokjhoke Rod
• Naboni
• Nee
• Neel Aparijita
• Nondito Noroke
• Neel Manush
• Nishithini
• Nishad
• Nirbachito Bhooter Golpo
• Neel Hati
• Nirbashon
• Onish
• Ophoranno
• Onno Bhuban
• Omanush
• Omega Point
• Opekkha
• Ondho Karer Gan
• Ochin Pur
• Onno Din
• Prothom Prohor
• Payer Tolay Khorom
• Pufi
• Parapar
• Parul O Tinti Kukur
• Putul
• Priotomeshu
• Poka
• Pakhi Amar Ekla Pakhi
• Premer Golpo
• Paap
• Ros Kos Singara Bulbuli Mostok
• Rong Pencil
• Raboner Deshe Ami Ebong Amra
• Rumali
• Rupar Palonnko
• Rupali Dip
• Rupali Ratri
• Rupa
• Rodon Bhora E Boshonto
• Shankhoneel Karagar
• Shey Ashe Dhire
• Shubhro
• Shei Din Choitromas
• She O Nortoki
• Sobai Gaychhe Bone
• Shaj Ghar
• Sokol Kata Dhonno Kore
• Shourobh
• Shamol Chaya
• Shunno
• Subhro Gaychhe Bone
• Sanaullar Mohabipod
• Tin Doblew (W)
• Tondra Bilash
• Tomader Ai Nogore
• Tithir Nil Toyale
• Tomader Jonno Valobasha
• Tomake
• Tumi Amai Deke Chile Chutir Nimontrone
• Tara Tin Jon
• The Exorsict
• Tetul Bone Jochhna
• Ural Ponki
• Uthon Periye Dui Paa

Awards

• Lekhak Shibir Prize (1973)
• Bangla Academy Award (1981)
• Shishu Academy Award
• Jainul Abedin Gold Medal
• Michael Madhusudan Medal (1987)
• Bacsas Prize (1988)
• Humayun Qadir Memorial Prize (1990)
• National Film Award (Best Story 1993, Best Film 1994, Best Dialogue 1994)
• Ekushe Podok (1994)
• ShelTech Award (2007)